The Kitchen Gakden. 95 



7. Tke CnivE — Allium Schmnox^rasum. 

 This little alliaceous plant is sometimes used as a spring 

 salad, or a seasoning for soups. It is easily propagated by 

 dividing the bulbs or roots either in autumn or spring, and 

 planting them in any bed or border. It will grow anywhere, 

 but prefers a moist, rich soil. It is generally spoken of in the 

 plural as chives or cives. 



YII.— SALAD PLANTS. 



1. Lettuce — Lactuca Sati'^.a. 



The lettuce is appropriately jjlaced at the head of the list 

 of modern salad plants. There are two grand varieties of the 

 lettuce — the Cabbage and the Cos or Upright — and numerous 

 sub-varieties of each. The best of the cabbage sorts are the 

 Butter or Early, the Brown Dutch, the Victoria, and the Curled 

 India. They will come into use in the order we have named 

 them. The last will make good heads most of the summer. 

 Of the Cos or Upright sorts the best are the "VThite and the 

 Paris. 



A deep, rich, sandy loam suits the lettuce jjlant. Salt and 

 ashes are useful as special manures. Sow as early as the sea- 

 son will permit, and repeat at different times during the spring 

 and summer. For forcing in a hot-bed, the Early Cabbage 

 should be chosen. For a winter crop, the Brown Dutch may 

 be treated as we have recommended for Early York and Non- 

 pareil cabbages. In the South it .will need no protection. 



The Cos lettuce must be sowed in September, protected 

 during the winter, and transplanted out in the spring ; or sowed 

 in a hot-bed in February. The Cos varieties are improved by 

 tying up the leaves several days before cutting, to blanch them. 



Lettuce may be had through the winter, by sowing in Octo- 

 ber in a walled pit or frame, and protecting from frost by 

 means of sash and straw mats, giving it air in warm, clear 

 days. The earth should be within eight inches of the glass. 

 Let the p'ants stand eight or ten inches apart. Water occa- 

 sionally, and pick off* all decayed leaves. It is a good precau- 



